Searchers in Nepal have recovered a 13th body from the snow Saturday after a massive avalanche swept the lower slopes of the world's tallest peak.

Officials say three Nepalese guides, or Sherpas, remain missing after Friday's disaster on Mount Everest. An estimated 100 climbers are reported stranded above the site of what is believed to be the worst-ever climbing disaster on the mountain.

Three Sherpa guides were injured in the avalanche.

Nepal's Tourism Ministry said the Sherpas, renowned for their climbing skills, had set out to fix ropes for other climbers when disaster struck at 5,800 meters at a site known to climbers as the "popcorn field."

The avalanche struck ahead of the busiest part of the climbing season. Hundreds of climbers and guides preparing to tackle the 8,850-meter peak in coming weeks are at the mountain's base camp. Weather conditions are at their most favorable in early May.